IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announced that a 72-room Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites will open in downtown Boston within a month, after a $3.5 million investment by the owner, Gemini Hospitality, to renovate the historic 100-year-old building.

The property will showcase the brand’s new sign, which is the seal of approval that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand relaunch program.  First announced in 2007, the relaunch program was established to create a more contemporary brand image, increase quality and drive consistency.

“Holiday Inn Express hotels are designed to be the smart choice for value-conscious business and leisure travelers,” said John Merkin, senior vice president, Brand Management, Holiday Inn brands. “We know our guests will enjoy the experience of a unique historical property in one of the oldest cities in the U.S. that still provides the contemporary comforts and services they have come to expect.  We welcome this hotel into the Holiday Inn family of brands with the beacon of the new sign and everything it represents.”

Located on Friend Street, directly across from the TD Banknorth Garden, the property allows guests to be within walking distance to Boston’s famed historical attractions, including Fanueil Hall, Boston Commons, Beacon Hill and the Old North Church.  Also nearby are Boston Harbor, The New England Aquarium and the North End, home to Boston’s Little Italy.  Boston City Hall, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Tip O’Neill Federal Building are close by.

Guests at the Holiday Inn Express will experience a comfortable and smart environment with innovative preferred guest upgrades to ensure a productive stay while traveling for business or leisure. The hotel’s newly enhanced complimentary Express Start® breakfast bar will feature a full selection of breakfast items including cheddar cheese omelets, bacon, biscuits, yogurt, fruit and the brand’s proprietary cinnamon roll and Smart Roast® coffee. The SimplySmart™ shower will incorporate a proprietary Stay Smart™ Kohler showerhead, upgraded 100 percent cotton terry towels and a new line of cinnamon-scented bath products into each guest bathroom.  Guests at the hotel also will enjoy the brand’s fresh, new SimplySmart™ bedding collection that features an attractive decorative top sheet, a medium-weight duvet blanket and soft 200 thread-count sheets.

The newly renovated five-story property will offer business travelers a variety of key amenities such as free high speed wireless Internet access throughout the hotel, free local phone calls (U.S. and Canada only), phone with private voicemail and free daily delivery of USA Today.  Guests will also have access to an on-site fitness center and business center, and all guestrooms will have a 32” LCD flat panel television with HD broadcast channels.  Standard Holiday Inn Express guest rooms feature a comfortable king-sized bed, or two comfortable double beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair and an in-room coffee machine featuring complimentary Smart Roast 100% Arabica coffee.  The hotel will also offer 15 suites with wet bar, microwave and refrigerator. 

“We invested $3.5 million in renovations to meet Holiday Inn Express brand standards, and we are very pleased with the resulting urban contemporary design,” said Karla Lyon, general manager. “Holiday Inn Express has excellent brand recognition and loyalty, and we’re pleased to be the first hotel to bring the new sign to Boston.”

The Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Boston-Downtown is owned by Gemini Real Estate Advisors and managed by Gemini Hospitality Management, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.